Category: Useful Things I did Today

Since becoming in-valid…. I am really excited by every little thing that I can get done. No dishes yet, but I can stack the dishwasher!

A Minor Win

Brendan McMahon’s application for his case to be considered under the Mental Health Act was denied today.

Judge Helen Symes found that while he met the criteria for consideration under section 32 of the act, she belived that the serious nature of the crime meant that the public interest would be best served by having the matter heard before the law.

McMahon has pleaded not guilty, and a date for a hearing will be set next thursday, the 23rd of December. The hearing will most likely take place in February or March of next year.

I must admit that I was not feeling hopeful that the courts would treat this matter with the serious consideration that I feel it deserves, and todays decision was somewhat of a relief. It is still very possible that he won’t receive a custodial sentence, but hearing the Magistrate use the words “protection of the public”, and “serious nature of the crime”, was a glimmer of hope in what has otherwise been a very bleak horizon.

Bestiality Charge Dropped

Bestiality Charges Dropped

The Prosecutor and the defence are drinking buddies. Does that have anything to do with the charge being dropped ? Who knows. I am still trying to find out. I spoke to the prosecutor yesterday and heard that the bestiality charge was to be dropped, I can only guess that either they didn’t think they could get a conviction, or that there is something funny going on.

Though there is proof of a sexual connection, apparently there was no penetration, so it may make the charge difficult to prove. Mercifully I have not read the entire case file, and am unaware of exactly what the evidence against him is.

He is making an application to be considered to have diminished capacity under section 23 (or is it 32, it’s been a long day) of the mental health act. That means that the likelihood of him serving actual jail time is minimal.

If anyone has access to a criminal lawyer that has some insight into this process, I’d be really grateful for any information.

Ack….

Article from Sunday Telegraph

From The Sunday Telegraph, Sydney, 20/11/2005

So he was locked up again – and a judge saw fit to let him out. Apparently it’s really rare for an offender to be locked up for not showing up at the police station, so I suppose that the Police are being hyper vigilant with this guy. Bless them.

Unfortunately the magistrate at Parramatta Local Court isn’t quite so aware of what this man is capable of, and he is out again. Not sure about the court date being wednesday – if the reporter got his name wrong then there is a strong possibility that the date is wrng too.

More info as it comes to hand.

Court Appearance

I went to court again today – but by the time I got there, it was all over. Another adjournment, till the 24th of November for a plea.

Who knows what the plea will be, and what type of sentence he’ll get.

David King, the journo from The Australian, was there. He looked at me guiltily, and sped off. Hooray. I think I might be getting over it.

I still feel like the last year has been a test, and perhaps I am coming out the other side. Perhaps.

I Passed !

Today was the final day of my Celebrants course… And I passed ! I am now a civil Celebrant – which means I can do baby namings, funerals, vow renewals, all kinds of rites of passage except Weddings. Once I apply to the attourney Generals Department, and my application is approved, I will go onto a waiting list for authorisation. It “should” take less than 2 years, so I have the next 2 years to practice my skills before I get to legally wed anyone.

And the ceremony I had to do today was a bilingual one, requiring a translator – the teacher had told me it was easy, but I found it quite a challenge. After the ceremony, she told me that a ceremony with a translator is one of the hardest to control with grace and flow – and I did really well ! My translator was wonderful, which really helped, and I am utterly thrilled to have such positive feedback, as well as the knowledge that I passed all of my assessments (it was a LOT of work for someone who has been out of formal schooling for so long).

Bounce bounce… … …